Method and apparatus for continuous application of foam to a planar textile structure

Abstract

Method of continuously applying a foamed treatment medium to a planar textile structure which includes applying the foam directly to a planar follower guidable synchronously into areal contact with the planar textile structure, and transfering the foam from the planar follower into the planar textile structure by applying vacuum, and apparatus for carrying out the method.

We claim: 
     
       1. Method of continuously applying a foamed treatment medium to a planar textile structure which comprises applying the foam directly to the surface of an air-impermeable planar follower, guiding the planar follower synchronously into areal contact with the planar textile structure, and transferring the foam from the surface of the planar follower into the planar textile structure while the planar follower and the planar textile structure are in areal contact by applying vacuum to a side of the planar textile structure opposite the air-impermeable planar follower. 
     
     
       2. Method according to claim 1 wherein the foam applied to the planar follower is transferred, after the planar follower has run together with the planar textile structure, to the planar textile structure in an evacuated chamber having a pressure which is low compared to the internal pressure of the bubbles of the foam. 
     
     
       3. Method according to claim 2 which comprises exerting a suction pull on the foam disposed on the planar follower shortly before the planar follower and the planar textile structure have run together. 
     
     
       4. Method according to claim 1 wherein the foam is applied to the planar follower by wiping it thereon with a layer thickness adequate for impregnating the planar textile structure. 
     
     
       5. Method according to claim 1 which comprises guiding the planar follower, over a drum having, at the surface thereof, a support layer subjected to vacuum, guiding the planar textile structure between the shell of the drum and the planar follower and running the planar textile structure, considerably before the planar follower, onto the drum shell, and exerting suction pressure on the foam disposed on the planar follower from a peripheral section of the drum disposed ahead of a line at which the planar follower runs up on the drum shell. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus for performing a method of continuously applying a foamed treatment medium to a planar textile structure comprising a drum having, at the shell surface thereof, an evacuatable support layer, an air-impermeable planar follower spanning part of the drum periphery in areal contact with and for guiding the planar textile structure on the drum shell surface, said planar follower having an inlet section supported by at least one roller, means disposed at said inlet section for supplying foam to be applied between said planar textile structure and said planar follower, a wiper disposed opposite said one roller for uniformly distributing foamed treatment applied to the planar follower region preceding said wiper means for supplying suction through said support layer to a side of the planar textile structure opposite said air-impermeable planar follower, and means for separating the planar textile structure and the planar follower from one another. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said drum has a peripheral section forward of a run-up line at which said planar follower runs up on said drum, said peripheral section being uncovered by said planar follower, yet subjectible to suction pull. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said air-impermeable planar follower is formed of smoothly ground rubber.